Modelling migration dynamics in Albania: a hazard function approach

Since 1990, migration flows from Albania have been massive, relative to the size of the country and its population, but they have also fluctuated over time. In the first section of the paper various descriptive trends are presented, mainly in graphical form, and discussed. The data come from the 2005 Albanian Living Standards Measurement Survey, and cover the period 1990–2004. The resulting observed trends reflect changing push and pull factors in Albania and the two main host countries, Greece and Italy. The paper presents a hazard approach to modelling Albanian emigration and return migration. This analysis highlights the relevance of networks in Albanian migration dynamics, both to promote emigration and to delay return.